The Liebster Award

Such great news to tell you! Last week, I received an email from Kira of LeighClair informing me of my Liebster Award nomination. It’s a big deal and it’s not such a big deal. It’s basically peer recognition from another blogger, in the form of an award, and it kind of works like a chain letter. The nominator asks the nominee a series of questions which are then answered – see below. Then in turn, I nominate fellow bloggers and pose 11 questions to them. Then they do the same. Answer the questions, nominate bloggers they know and it continues. See how it’s kind of like a chain letter? Through the Liebster award, the whole blogging community benefits. Readers get introduced to new blogs and bloggers get introduced to other bloggers. Win-win for everyone. (Insert happy dance.) Since It’s Droolworthy doesn’t fall into the typical lifestyle/fashion blog, nor is it a Mommy blog, I’m always extremely grateful when readers find their way to my little ole blog. Thank you, Kira, I really appreciate the honor and please make sure to stop by Kira’s blog. I can’t wait to make her Millionaire’s Pear and Apple Pie! It looks totally droolworthy!

Please scroll down to see the talented bloggers I’ve nominated!

Here are the answers to the questions I was asked:

Why did you start blogging?  I started blogging because I became addicted to this thing called the Internet. I was finding all this great stuff and I always wanted to tell everyone about what I found. I started saving my finds in Evernote. When my accumulation of finds grew to a few thousand, I knew it was time. I was also creating websites for people and I thought, why don’t I make one for myself, too?

Who is your celebrity crush? Celeb Crush. I honestly don’t have a celeb crush. No wait, I did fall in love with Ryan Gosling in Crazy, Stupid, Love. I also worship all the dancers on SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE. I could watch them dance forever.

Where would you go on vacation if money was no object? A 5 star African Safari. I am very content at home and I’m not someone who needs to travel, but my husband would like to travel everywhere!

What is your dream job/career? Hmmm. I have to say this blog is my dream job. I am my own boss. I can work WHENEVER, WHEREVER I WANT. And, I know people look forward to my posts. It’s very satisfying when people tell me ”I’m obsessed with your blog!”

How do you like your coffee? I like my coffee extremely strong. I heat my mug first, I make it in an aeropress with 3 scoops of coffee and then add some whole milk.

Shoes, bags, jewelry, or makeup- what’s your favorite? I wear a little makeup everyday, but am not obsessed with trying out new stuff. Jewelry – I love jewelry but also wear the same everyday: studs, my wedding band and occasionally, I change my necklace. Once in a while, I also change my watch. I’ve been wearing the same handbag for 2 ½ years. I guess my favorite is shoes! No matter how many shoes I have, I always fall in love with new ones (Who doesn’t?) and gift myself shoes more than any other accessory.

If you could live in another decade, which one would it be?I think the 1900’s. I would have had more children!

What are your goals for the next year- blog related, personal, professional- let’s hear ’em! Goals for the next year? Personally – to get my photo albums in order. I am way behind on 2014. Blog – It’s Droolworthy will be relaunching in June with a new design (SO EXCITED I CAN’T SLEEP AT NIGHT). Once it relaunches, I will try to post 4 times a week. Professionally, I would like to go to a blogger conference, possibly this summer, and meet other bloggers in person. So please check back in June for my blog relaunch!

Who do you admire most?I think the two people I admire most are my grandmother and my dad. My grandmother (my mom’s mom) because she immigrated to the US right before WWII. She never saw her parents again. She never complained. She ran her own small company when considerably less women were in the workplace. She was riddled with Arthritis and never complained. I miss her everyday. And, my dad. My dad started with nothing. He told me when he and my mom first got married in the 1950’s, they would forego the movies so he could put $5 in the bank. Now he owns a few buildings. He is 87 and he is thinking of building another building. Of course, I greatly admire my Mom too, who is an exceptionally talented artist. She’s even had her own art shows and has sold a few pieces of her work.

How would you describe yourself in 3 words? This is very hard. I could describe my kids in 3 words. My husband in 3 words, too. But myself? UGGHHH. Ok, here goes. 1. Passionate. When something is important to me, I am all in. When I love someone or something, WHOA, nothing else matters. So definitely passionate. 2.Tenacious – This whole blogging thing – it actually started with my love for the computer. I am relentless when I want to learn something. Everything I learned on the computer: blogging, web design, movie editing, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, I’ve taught myself. ( A lot of lynda.com tutorials) I just stuck with it, and I still keep learning every day. 3. Kind. My sister told me to include that.

What are 11 random facts about yourself?
1. I wrote a 60 page research paper on ice cream in High School. It was entered into a statewide contest for DECA and I won 3rd place. I cried. I wanted to win first place.
2. We have a dog that I am truly, madly deeply in love with. The random fact: I didn’t want a dog! Now, I miss her and long for her when I leave the house!
3. I don’t think I will ever wear heels again.
4. It says in my bio (about page) how I met my husband. Random fact: I didn’t like him on the first date.
6. When I was younger, I went to sleep away camp for 2 summers. My favorite part was getting care packages from my parents. They sent the biggest and the best care packages.
7. The 3 items I would bring to a desert island: aeropress, computer and sunglasses!
8. I have about 50 cookbooks that I received as gifts, some I bought myself. I think I use one! HA!
9. I can do a 3-minute plank (I’m very proud of myself!)
10.When I got out of college, I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. I thought to myself, why not join the army or become a police officer? My parents quickly sent me to a career counselor – with their analysis and testing, they suggested Hospital Administration. In my many years, I have been a secretary, a corporate foreign exchange trader, an assistant baker, web designer, analyst at an Investment Bank, a temp and a personal trainer. Now, I am a blogger. I have never worked in a hospital.
11. I have the same breakfast every morning: a big bowl of Life cereal mixed with Honey Nut Cheerios.

Enough about me!

Here are the talented bloggers I’ve nominated:
Amy from A My Name is Amy
Jordanna from Magnificent Temptations
Sheri from Donuts, Dresses and Dirt
Amy from Amy Believes in Pink
Shalice from Shalice Noel
Erin from Love Shop Share
Kate from Always Craving.

Here are my questions for the nominees:
1. Coffee or Tea?
2. Do you have a pet? If so, what kind?
3. Favorite movie and book.
4. Favorite vacation you’ve ever taken.
5. In your opinion, what is your best blog post so far? Please provide link.
6. What states have you lived in?
7. What was you first job?
8. How old is your blog? (first post was on?)
9. Do you like to cook? Favorite Dish?
10. If you were on a desert island, but were allowed to bring 3 things, what would those 3 things be?
11. 11 Random Facts about Yourself

Nominees, if you accept, please answer the 11 questions I’ve posed and nominate 4-5 bloggers and then notify them. Congratulations and have fun!

Again, a huge thank you to Kira from Leigh-Clair and please check out these other bloggers.